* Kalanchoe is pronounced ka-lan-ko-ee.* Work some acrylic co-polymers into the soil. Co-polymers are available at most nurseries, but not at chain stores. Co-polymers hold 800 times their weight in water, so the plant won’t need watering everyday.
* Your best soil is composed of 50 percent milled sphagnum peat moss, 25 percent peat humus, and 25 percent perlite. This is the 2-1-1 Cornell mix for plants needing lightly moist soil at all times.
* Roots are very fine and fibrous.
* Soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.3 with the Cornell 2-1-1 soil mix. If peat-lite soil is used, the pH should be between 5.8 and 6.
* Kalanchoe must have calcium and some superphosphate for optimum performance.
* Plant leaves hold water, and there is low evaporation by the foliage.
* Ideal fertilizer is 20-10-20. Kalanchoe deserves constant fertilization.
* For flowering, night temperatures should be between 65 and 68 degrees. If nighttime temperatures are 70 degrees and higher, the plant may not produce flower buds.
* For plants under grow lights, kalanchoe needs two hours’ lighting from March 1 to Halloween, but four hours illumination from November 1 to February 28.
Back
